Separate retail finance offers from shopping catalogs

Identify the sender of the catalog and the sender of the store-card offer before writing. The merchant and the bank or card issuer may be different companies. When they are, give each one its own request. If one company sent both, ask which preferences cover each type of mail.

By Junk Mail Magic. Updated October 2, 2026.

Build a two-row plan

Lay the catalog and the card offer side by side. Write down the company name printed on each, including small print that names an issuer.
Put the merchant in row one and the card issuer in row two. Add the mailing name and address exactly as printed on each piece.
On the merchant's official site, look for a catalog or postal marketing preference and ask for printed catalogs to stop.
Use the issuer's independently verified official site or customer-service route to ask about mailed marketing. If you cannot find a postal option, ask whether one exists.
If the offer does not say whether it is prescreened, ask the issuer.

Why one reply may not cover both

A merchant's catalog preference may not change what the card issuer mails, and the reverse is also possible. The FTC says prescreened credit and insurance offers have a separate opt-out program. Not every card offer is prescreened, and a direct request to the named issuer can still help either way.

Ask the merchant to keep sending order confirmations and ask the issuer to keep sending any account notices you need.

Two-row request plan

Example for your own use. Replace the bracketed details and review what you share.

Row 1 merchant: [store name] Piece: [catalog title and date] Mailing name/address: [as printed] Request: stop printed catalogs Sent: [date and route] Reply: [notes] Row 2 card issuer: [bank or issuer name] Piece: [offer description and date] Mailing name/address: [as printed] Request: stop printed card marketing Sent: [date and route] Reply: [notes]

Match each reply to its row

Record each reply in the row for the company that sent it. If catalogs stop but card offers keep arriving, write to the issuer again and quote the date of your first request. If a piece arrives from a company not on your list, add a third row for it.

Official source

FTC: How To Stop Junk Mail

Separate store-credit marketing from retail offers Match a brand to the legal name on a mailer Keep account notices while stopping promotions Ask what a postal-mail confirmation covers After a purchase All practical mail guides

Have an unwanted advertisement ready?

Photograph one piece you are authorized to handle, with the sender and full mailing label visible. Review the details before submitting. The first request is free; the sender controls the response.

Try one request free